Life is make believe, fantasy given form

Creating Rich Characters – Prompts

While my days are spent grinding out my WIP, I thought I’d share an old post about writing character bios, specifically about using prompts to expedite the process.

The prompt-list below looks more complicated than it is (a result of explanations and examples). For some prompts, a word or two is sufficient, while others require some contemplation. Unsurprisingly, I force my main characters to endure the entire process; incidental players get a pass with a mere smattering of details, and everyone else falls somewhere in between.

Ultimately, I believe that this pre-work pays off, not only in rich characters. To me, the process of writing flows with greater ease. My characters are immensely cooperative in telling their own stories when they know who they are.

Gestures, Mannerisms: A distinguishing physical habit not only defines a character but makes him memorable. A character may habitually pick his teeth, clear his throat, rub his jaw, trace an old scar, purse his lips, fidget with a button, wink, spit, raise one eyebrow, stroke a beard, belch…

Quirk: A distinctive behavior that goes beyond a gesture: Won’t eat anything green, corrects improper speech, loves bad puns, doesn’t like to be touched, is afraid of heights, always misses the bus. There are numerous lists of quirks on the web.

Attribute, Trait: People have a blend of traits. Pick one or two for your character that stand out. Maybe she’s stubborn, lucky, picky, impatient, naïve, or flippant. Lists of attributes are also readily available on the web.

Skills, Abilities, and Interests: No real person is great at everything, and neither is your well-rounded character. Does your character have an education or special training? In what skills does he excel? Where is he lacking? What does your character do for a living? What does he do during down time?

Mix it Up: People are multi-dimensional. Villains can have redeemable qualities. They may rescue animals, love old movies, grow roses, or play chess in the park. Likewise, heroes have their flaws. They drink too much, have hot tempers, always run late, get easily flustered, or are slobs.

Don’t Overdo It: Creating a one-eyed, belly-scratching, kind-hearted, hypochondriac swordsmen with a penchant for chocolate is fun, but most characters will require much more subtlety.

The Internal Character

Backstory: Each character has a formative life that shaped him. What was the character’s childhood like? How strong were/are his family ties? Where are his parents and/or siblings? What significant event of the past shaped who the character is today? What was the character doing before the first page opened?

Secrets: A secret impacts a character’s attitudes and behaviors. It adds interest to the story because it can create tension or mystery in interpersonal dynamics. What is the character’s secret that no one else knows?

Goals: What does your character desperately desire? A protagonist’s overarching goal will often drive the story, and conflicting goals between characters may be a major source of tension. Consider that the main characters will have goals related not only to the main plot but to subplots.

Obstacles: What is the main obstacle that stands in the way of the character reaching her goal. This may be a nemesis, a personal flaw, or a condition of the culture or world. Remember that villains aren’t the only ones that can stand in a character’s way. Obstacles can be large and small and there are usually lots of them in the protagonist’s path.

Active Pursuit of Goals: At some point in the story, the character moves into an active role in overcoming obstacles and achieving goals. What triggers the change for the character? How does the character take or attempt to take active control?

The Big Fear: This is the one that terrifies – betrayal, loss of control, inability to protect loved ones, failure, death, aloneness, disgrace, insignificance, poverty, aging. It may drive the character’s goal or be an obstacle he must overcome. Fears have a basis in experience – where did this fear come from?

The Mask: A character’s mask is directly related to his fear. The mask describes how a character compensates for the Big Fear, or hides it from the world. For example, a character fearful of betrayal, may act overly independent or refuse to get close to others. Often the mask comes undone during the course of a story and the character is forced to face and perhaps overcome her fear.

Cross-Character Relationships: Another way to add interest and tension is by creating similarities between conflicting characters, and differences between companionable characters. What might the protagonist and villain have in common? Perhaps they both love horses, appreciate fine wines, or fear water. Along the same lines, how might the protagonist and his cohorts clash? One curses constantly and the other finds it offensive; one might play an instrument poorly while his companions cover their ears.

There you have it – my prompts. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if there’s something I missed!

It also eliminates some of the waffling that comes when a character isn’t well defined. I think characters are the most important part of a book and definitely wouldn’t skip this step. 🙂 Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day, Steph.

I took the advice of Mr. Stephen King, who suggested that before serious editing, he typically stepped away from his books in an effort to reboot his brain towards the particular story. Once returned to it, he could see the writing through fresh eyes.

I like your bringing up flaws and secrets to develop characters. I wonder how many authors bother to imagine their character’s childhood? Not many, I hesitate to guess! You are awesome at sharing these lists, Diana. 🙂

Thanks Sarah. The parts that I don’t automatically think of the are the secrets, the fear/mask, and aligning and misaligning the characters. So I still use these prompts. Glad you thought I hit the mark! Have a great week 🙂

Thanks Antonia. I’m glad you found this interesting. It’s quite fun going through this with a character. At the end, it feels like a real person just entered the writer’s life! Happy Sunday to you too 🙂

I’m so glad it was helpful, Hedy. I’m a visual storyteller as well as I “see” the story unfolding in my head. For me, the most helpful parts of this list are those that explore the psychological underpinnings of the character’s emotional story. Happy Writing!

thanks again…yes i am working on a graphic novel in the Max Ernst way of using artifacts and photography…i’m always writing in my head and i know one challenge is having strong character development matters…have a good day Diana 🙂

Great list of reminders. I don’t write fiction, but I spent several decades as an actor; these tips recall things to remember when playing a character, bad or good.

I can’t tell you how many times good actors must flesh out a character, both mentally & physically, to be able to play a human being and not a cardboard mock-up. In a novel, the writer has to do that work with words.

The thing I see most often – in many forms of fiction – are one-dimensional villains. Nobody is all bad either, and nobody is a villain to him or herself.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to educate a world!”

I was a theater major in college, Madelyn, so I totally agree that there are numerous similarities. The old acting training finally paid off, lol. And I agree about villains. Even complete pychopaths need some dimension to their personalities 🙂 Thanks for the comment!

I got completely distracted by the robotic implants of the hunk in the picture. I read that sort of story so often, I no longer feel sorry for (and I’m so glad that emotion is disappearing for a wide variety of reasons) say veterans who lose a leg or arm in America’s battles. I feel like they have an opportunity to receive an amazing robotic piece that is better than human, once they’re used to it. I suppose your character profile would address that: Does s/he see themself as a victim or the result of the Universe’s plan.

I thought the hunk was a cyborg, Jacqui. I went straight to scifi! Regardless, yes, a character profile could go anywhere with this physical situation – pride, compassion, anger, determination, vindictiveness. Add that to all the other variations and there’s a story waiting to be told! It’s exciting.

Thanks so much Diana! I am so glad I posted about it. I was getting a bit panicky and hearing everyone talk about their own stories and then all the love and kindness, wow really made me happy! Hope you are having more beautiful colors over your way xxx

These are superb reminders, Diana. I agree completely. …Except that a “one-eyed, belly-scratching, kind-hearted, hypochondriac swordsmen with a penchant for chocolate” would doubtlessly be fantastic in your hands. 😀 Mega hugs.

I love your list and will include it with the one I use. Like you, for each of my major characters in my books, I write pages about them that will never be seen in the actual book: siblings, worst thing that happened to them in high school, their relationship with a parent, their favorite teacher, their least favorite subject in school, their first boss – yes, I get into internal detail like that, as well sthe physical. NO character should be flawless, even if he/she is a hero, and I love figuring out what my main character’s flaw is (or flaws are). 🙂 And I always make sure that my ‘mean, bad’ character has at least one redeeming characteristic – I like yours of rescues animals’ or ‘grows roses.’ This is such a fun aspect of writing a book. Many times, I feel as if the character tells ME all about herself, which is quite fascinating to just sit and listen (and write) what is told.

I find it a fun part of writing too, Pam, and yes, the characters will often tell us about themselves. We can kick it off with one detail and they’re on a roll. And you’re right that so much of it never gets into the actual book (though it does, right, just not in the words). Happy Writing!

A wonderfully helpful analysis of how to create compelling characters 🙂 Though I don’t go through this process intentionally, I was intrigued to discover that I do, still, keep all these components in mind as I create, asking the all-important WHY question over and over as I considered scenes and dialog. I guess it pays off…least, I hope! 😮 🙂

Asking that Why question is great, Cynthia. I’m a planner, so I do lots of upfront work in bios and world-building before I start writing. Some of it changes as the characters develop, but a lot of who they are sticks and molds the story. Good for you for keeping all that in your head! Happy Writing, my friend.

A few years ago, while I was still very focused on vampires and often frustrated by how shallow vampires often are, I got people to suggest questions they could use in interviews with vampires. On the one hand, it’s fun and an excuse for a blog post; on the other, it really provokes thought about the background and nature of the vampire being interviewed. I hoped it would be a useful tool for authors creating vampires, but it never really took off…

I popped over to look at the interview questions – a great list, Frank. There are clearly unique elements to the vampire nature and experience that would define and differentiate characters. I haven’t interviewed my characters, but I know authors who do and get a lot out of the process.

Character interviews work best, in my experience, if written as a story. It’s a chance for the author to really get into the head of the character. How does ze react to the question? Is hir answer an honest one? And with vampires, there should always be a chance the interviewer won’t make it out alive…

Diana, this is a great list and it’s amazing how many books fail to address the internal aspect of the characters in real detail. I’ve just finished a lovely book but it’s only flaw was everyone was so ‘nice’ – a few flaws but no real conflict. I kept waiting for that ‘oomph’ moment…You only need to include a couple from your internal list to add substance to any book or story!

Thanks Annika. Yeah, no need to go overboard. You’re right that it doesn’t take much and some of character nuance can be quite subtle. Even plot driven books benefit from well-developed characters. Happy Writing, my friend ❤

Thank you so much but I am beginning to understand that talent and ignorance are not a perfect marriage. Having said that, I am intrigued and fascinated by the world of short story. Posts such as yours help me understand more. Thank you.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from D. Wallace Peach is strictly prohibited. Reblogs and social-media shares are welcome; however, any use of posts, excerpts, photos, and links must give full and clear credit to “D. Wallace Peach,” and/or “Myths of the Mirror Blog” with links to the original content.